The top two candidates for governor clashed in a televised debate Tuesday, with each arguing they alone had the best plan to increase funding for Oklahoma's core services.

In a debate hosted by KOCO-TV in Oklahoma City, both Democrat Drew Edmondson and Republican Kevin Stitt agreed the state's education and health care systems need more money but disagreed over where the funding should come from.

Edmondson promoted his plan to increase the state's gross production tax to 7 percent, do away with the capital gains tax deduction and increase the cigarette tax by 50 cents, raising an additional $300 million.

“His solution is always more taxes on hardworking Oklahomans. I don't even know why we are talking about new taxes,” Stitt responded.

Stitt said finding more money for state agencies will require cutting waste, stronger leadership and wisely spending $1 billion in new revenue coming to the state this year.

Edmondson called the $1 billion “a bogus number” that includes money already dedicated for some services and government entities.

“He is dreaming,” Edmondson said about Stitt's plan to invest in the state without new taxes. "Mr. Stitt is following the same rhetoric that we heard from Gov. Mary Fallin for years, that we can cut, cut, cut (taxes) ... and our economy will just grow.”

Edmondson, who was state attorney general for 16 years, called Stitt a continuation of the Fallin administration.

Stitt called Edmondson a "career politician" and referred to himself as an "outsider” throughout the debate.

"We need a fresh approach, a business approach, an outsider," Stitt said.

Stitt, who founded a Tulsa mortgage company, said he would "end the politics as usual," and streamline the work of state agencies.

"Our economy is starting to boom but our state has not captured that growth like it should," Stitt said.

Edmondson said his experience as attorney general gave him an advantage in solving some of the state's most complicated problems.

"A little experience is a good thing and it can be a good thing for the state of Oklahoma," said Edmondson, who accused Stitt of just recently discovering the state's problems when he began running for governor last year.

Edmondson and Stitt appear to be in a close race for governor, which includes Libertarian Chris Powell.

During Tuesday's debate, the two candidates agreed that school consolidation should be left up to local districts, recreational marijuana isn't right for Oklahoma and that teacher pay should be increased.

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But the two disagreed on Medicaid expansion, with Edmondson vowing to accept additional federal dollars that would address the state's high uninsured rate.

Stitt said he would make health care spending more efficient but didn't want to expand Medicaid and add to the number of Oklahomans dependent on a government system.

Both candidates also stood behind attack ads their campaigns have aired in recent weeks.

One Stitt commercial accused Edmondson of using his experience as attorney general to get a "cushy job" at a law firm.

An Edmondson commercial called Stitt's mortgage company "shady" and a violator of state regulations.

But throughout the debate both candidates continued to circle back to the topic of funding and taxes, both promising voters their plan would help a state that has experienced multiple budget cuts in recent years.

“Mr. Stitt is doing what any good salesman would do, he is trying to tell you what you want to hear,” said Edmondson, who added increasing taxes was the only way to truly invest in the state.

“There he goes again,” Stitt responded. “It's always about new revenue, new taxes.”

Ben Felder

Ben Felder is an investigative reporter for The Oklahoman. A native of Kansas City, Ben has lived in Oklahoma City since 2010 and covered politics, education and local government for the Oklahoma Gazette before joining The Oklahoman in 2016....
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